Formal charges are pending against a former Manhattan Parks & Recreation employee arrested last week in Pottawatomie County on charges of sexual exploitation of a child.
Zachariah Bayless turned himself in to the Pottawatomie County Jail in Westmoreland May 21. Sheriff Shane Jager says the alleged crimes occurred between December 2020 and May 2021.
Pottawatomie County Attorney Sherri Schuck tells KMAN she expects to file formal charges sometime next week.
According to Schuck, there was no evidence presented to her that indicated Bayless solicited minors through his employer, nor through his wife’s employer, USD 383.
Bayless is scheduled to make a first appearance on June 8 at 9 a.m. in Westmoreland. He remains free on a $25,000 bond.
